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Powerful Italian quake kills many Powerful Italian quake kills many
(20 minutes later)
At least 50 people have been killed in a powerful earthquake that struck central Italy, Italian officials say. At least 50 people have been killed and tens of thousands are homeless after a powerful earthquake hit L'Aquila and other towns in central Italy.
Five children are said to be among the dead and many remain unaccounted for as a massive search for those trapped is under way. Five children are said to be among the dead and many people are still missing as rescuers search desperately for survivors trapped beneath rubble.
The 6.3-magnitude quake struck at 0330 (0130 GMT) close to L'Aquila city, 95km (60 miles) north-east of Rome. The 6.3-magnitude quake struck at 0330 (0130 GMT) close to L'Aquila, 95km (60 miles) north-east of Rome.
A civil protection official said 3,000 to 10,000 buildings in the medieval city may have been damaged. Altogether, 26 cities and towns have been damaged, officials say.
And as many as 50,000 people are feared to have been made homeless. In L'Aquila alone, between 3,000 and 10,000 buildings in the medieval city may have been damaged.
Between 30,000 and 40,000 people are believed to have lost their homes and the authorities are working to find them shelter before nightfall.
See map of the earthquake-hit area See map of the earthquake-hit area
The BBC's Duncan Kennedy in L'Aquila described bemused and confused locals wrapped in blankets and carrying their personal belongings in suitcases walking, like a stream of refugees, through the devastation.The BBC's Duncan Kennedy in L'Aquila described bemused and confused locals wrapped in blankets and carrying their personal belongings in suitcases walking, like a stream of refugees, through the devastation.
At the moment, the situation is not fully under control, our correspondent says. The rescue service is stretched to breaking point as it tries to reach all the devastated buildings and deal with the mounting casualty toll, our correspondent adds.
The rescue service is stretched to breaking point as it tries to reach all the devastated buildings and deal with the mounting casualty toll, he adds.
State of emergencyState of emergency
Earlier, the mayor of L'Aquila, Massimo Cialente, said some 100,000 people had left their homes.Earlier, the mayor of L'Aquila, Massimo Cialente, said some 100,000 people had left their homes.
Latest from Duncan Kennedy, L'Aquila Here in the centre of the city, building after building has been left destroyed or half standing with cracks and holes. We watched as rescue workers struggled to pull out survivors, crawling on their stomachs to try to reach those trapped inside. There is a stream of almost ghostly figures, local people caught up in the early hours this morning in this earthquake, who are pouring past us wearing blankets. They are pulling suitcases and luggage past this collapsed building trying to get to safety. People are wandering around in a dazed state. Eyewitness: 'Everything falling' In pictures: L'Aquila in shock Latest from Duncan Kennedy, L'Aquila Here in the centre of the city, building after building has been left destroyed or half standing with cracks and holes. We watched as rescue workers struggled to pull out survivors, crawling on their stomachs to try to reach those trapped inside. There is a stream of almost ghostly figures, local people caught up in the early hours this morning in this earthquake, who are pouring past us wearing blankets. They are pulling suitcases and luggage past this collapsed building trying to get to safety. People are wandering around in a dazed state. Eyewitness: 'Everything falling' In pictures: L'Aquila in shock
A university dormitory, churches and a bell tower are believed to be among the buildings that had collapsed.A university dormitory, churches and a bell tower are believed to be among the buildings that had collapsed.
Many residents and rescuers used their bare hands to clear the debris from collapsed buildings, although the army and civil protection units from around Italy are joining the effort.Many residents and rescuers used their bare hands to clear the debris from collapsed buildings, although the army and civil protection units from around Italy are joining the effort.
Survivors, some still in their night clothes, hugged each other as they waited for news of friends and relatives.Survivors, some still in their night clothes, hugged each other as they waited for news of friends and relatives.
Hundreds waited at the city's main hospital, where doctors were forced to treat people in the open air because only one operating room was functioning.Hundreds waited at the city's main hospital, where doctors were forced to treat people in the open air because only one operating room was functioning.
Francesco Rocca of the Italian Red Cross said two field hospitals were arriving from Rome, but warned of the difficulties ahead.Francesco Rocca of the Italian Red Cross said two field hospitals were arriving from Rome, but warned of the difficulties ahead.
"The biggest problem will arrive in the night because there are thousands and thousands of people that we have to host in tents, in the hotels," he told the BBC."The biggest problem will arrive in the night because there are thousands and thousands of people that we have to host in tents, in the hotels," he told the BBC.
The death toll has been rising steadily throughout the morning. Interior Minister Roberto Maroni told reporters in L'Aquila that 50 people had now died. The death toll rose steadily throughout the morning. Interior Minister Roberto Maroni told reporters in L'Aquila that 50 people had now died.
Deaths were reported in the surrounding towns and villages of Castelnuovo, Poggio Picenze, Tormintarte, Fossa, Totani and Villa Sant'Angelo.Deaths were reported in the surrounding towns and villages of Castelnuovo, Poggio Picenze, Tormintarte, Fossa, Totani and Villa Sant'Angelo.
FROM THE BBC WORLD SERVICE More from BBC World Service FROM THE BBC WORLD SERVICE More from BBC World Service
But it is feared the toll could rise further as rescuers try to reach the many outlying villages and homes in the quake zone.But it is feared the toll could rise further as rescuers try to reach the many outlying villages and homes in the quake zone.
Phone and power lines remain down, and some bridges and roads have been closed as a precaution as the region was hit by a series of aftershocks.Phone and power lines remain down, and some bridges and roads have been closed as a precaution as the region was hit by a series of aftershocks.
Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has declared a state of emergency, and has cancelled a visit to Moscow to travel to the quake-hit area.Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has declared a state of emergency, and has cancelled a visit to Moscow to travel to the quake-hit area.
PanicPanic
The earthquake happened hours after a 4.6-magnitude tremor shook the area but caused no reported damage.The earthquake happened hours after a 4.6-magnitude tremor shook the area but caused no reported damage.
L'AQUILA Medieval city, founded in the 13th CenturyCapital of the mountainous Abruzzo regionPopulation 70,000, with many thousands more tourists and foreign studentsWalled city with narrow streets, lined by Baroque and Renaissance buildingsL'AQUILA Medieval city, founded in the 13th CenturyCapital of the mountainous Abruzzo regionPopulation 70,000, with many thousands more tourists and foreign studentsWalled city with narrow streets, lined by Baroque and Renaissance buildings
Thousands of the city's 70,000 residents ran into the streets in panic following the 30 second tremor. Thousands of the city's 70,000 residents ran into the streets in panic following the 30-second tremor.
Survivors described finding themselves looking out onto open streets as the walls of their buildings fell away. Survivors described finding themselves looking out on to open streets as the walls of their buildings fell away.
A student dormitory was said to be one of the buildings badly damaged. Rescuers were reportedly searching the rubble for people feared trapped inside.A student dormitory was said to be one of the buildings badly damaged. Rescuers were reportedly searching the rubble for people feared trapped inside.
"We managed to come down with other students but we had to sneak through a hole in the stairs as the whole floor came down," student Luigi Alfonsi, 22, said."We managed to come down with other students but we had to sneak through a hole in the stairs as the whole floor came down," student Luigi Alfonsi, 22, said.
"I was in bed - it was like it would never end as I heard pieces of the building collapse around me.""I was in bed - it was like it would never end as I heard pieces of the building collapse around me."
MAJOR ITALIAN QUAKES 2002 - 30 die, including 27 pupils and their teacher, in the southern town of San Giuliano di Puglia1997 - 13 die and priceless cultural heritage lost in the central Umbria region1980 - Nearly 3,000 people die, some 9,000 injured and 30,000 displaced near NaplesMAJOR ITALIAN QUAKES 2002 - 30 die, including 27 pupils and their teacher, in the southern town of San Giuliano di Puglia1997 - 13 die and priceless cultural heritage lost in the central Umbria region1980 - Nearly 3,000 people die, some 9,000 injured and 30,000 displaced near Naples
Correspondents say that L'Aquila, capital of the mountainous Abruzzo region, has many old buildings not built to withstand a strong earthquake.Correspondents say that L'Aquila, capital of the mountainous Abruzzo region, has many old buildings not built to withstand a strong earthquake.
Even some modern structures on the outskirts of the city were reported to have collapsed.Even some modern structures on the outskirts of the city were reported to have collapsed.
The earthquake was also felt in Rome.The earthquake was also felt in Rome.
Italy lies on two fault lines and has been hit by powerful earthquakes in the past, mainly in the south of the country. Italy lies on two fault lines and has been hit by powerful earthquakes in the past, mainly in the south of the country.
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